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Philadelphia Eagles Fire Chip Kelly

Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie has fired head coach Chip Kelly. In a statement released earlier Tuesday night, Lurie said the following:

I have made a decision to release Chip Kelly this evening. I spent the last three seasons evaluating the many factors involved in our performance as a team. As I watched this season unfold, I determined that it was time to make a change.

As we move forward, the search for a new head coach will begin and will be led by myself, Don Smolenski and Howie Roseman. To the extent that we are able, we will try to keep you informed as we go through this process.

Pat Shurmur will be our interim coach for the Giants game Sunday.

We have also released Ed Marynowitz, vice president of player personnel. Tom Donahoe, who has been our senior football advisor since 2012, will assume the role of senior director of player personnel.

I am determined and excited to select a new coach to help us obtain our ultimate goal.

Thank you for your consistent and enthusiastic support. It is always appreciated.

Sincerely,
Jeffrey Lurie
Chairman and CEO

Per Jay Glazer, Kelly was pulled into a meeting with Lurie, and didn’t fight the decision once Lurie broke him the news. Lurie’s decision comes at a surprising time, especially with one game remaining in the season. As seen three years ago when Lurie let go of Andy Reid as the Eagles head coach, moves of this magnitude are typically made once the season concludes. Lurie himself showed with Reid that he’s a man who will wait an extra year before parting ways with the head coach, but in this instance, he did the exact opposite.

Back in January, Lurie gave Kelly the keys to the kingdom after missing the playoffs at 10-6, and let him form the roster he wanted. The experiment failed, and after three seasons, Chip Kelly leaves his first job in the NFL with a 26-22 record, and only one playoff apperance.

Lurie will hold a press conference Wednesday at noon with further information regarding his decision. Maybe Lurie thinks the team needed a change in culture.